Chronic Liver Disease
Arnold W. Strauss, MD
BK Rachford Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation
Description of Research
Dr. Strauss’ laboratory focuses on energy generation by mitochondria through fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Highly oxidative tissues such as liver, heart, skeletal muscle, gut, and kidney rely upon FAO for energy. Intermediary metabolism of fatty acids in the liver is the major source of short chain fatty acids (“ketone bodies”) that are important fuels in the brain. The fetal-maternal metabolic transition is a switch from glucose to fatty acids as the major energy source. Dr. Strauss has cloned and characterized mouse and human genes encoding five enzymes of the FAO pathway-medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD), the two genes of the trifunctional protein (TFP) subunits, and medium and short chain 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCHAD). Dr. Strauss is investigating the molecular genetics of infants and children with mutations in these genes causing hypoketotic hypoglycemia and acute liver failure. Additionally, Dr. Strauss is defining the relationship between fetal FAO defects and the development of severe liver diseases during pregnancy, including acute fatty liver of pregnancy and the HELLP syndrome.
Collaborations and Core Use
Dr. Strauss collaborates with Dr. Bucuvalas on the U01 grant investigating acute liver failure in children. Projection of Core use: Biostatistical services
